Tiltable desk top

ABSTRACT

A desk or table having a top which can be mounted horizontally or on a slope. Bolts pass through end panel supports and into brackets on the ends of the desk top. Three levels of holes on three of the brackets provide alternative mounting holes for the bolts depending on whether one wants a level top or a sloped top. The rear corner bolt passes through an insert which fits in an aperture in the end panel. The insert includes an eccentrically located hole through which the bolt passes. By orienting the insert with the hole in a first position when the desk top is level, and reorienting the insert with the hole in a second position when the desk top is slanted, one insures that the rear corner of the desk stays properly aligned with the rear corner of the end panels.

[ 51 May 13, 1975 1 1 TILTABLE DESK TOP Donald D. Korell, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Steelcase lnc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 1, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 366,161

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 108/1; 312/194 [51] Int. Cl A47b 13/00 [58] Field of Search 108/6, 1, 8, 109, 144; 312/194, 195, 257 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,199,510 9/1916 Thompson 108/8 X 1,295,680 2/1919 Benson 108/8 X 1,892,414 12/1932 Ulrich 312/194 2,305,244 12/1942 Erickson.. 108/6 2,675,288 4/1954 Usher 312/194 2,979,117 4/1961 Barecki.... 108/] X 3,120,199 2/1964 Kolster 108/6 3,397,934 8/1968 DuShek.... 108/144 X 3,500,768 3/1970 Lowe 108/1 3,635,174 l/l972 Ball 312/194 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrice, Heneveld, l-luizenga & Cooper [57] ABSTRACT A desk or table having a top which can be mounted horizontally or on a slope. Bolts pass through end panel supports and into brackets on the ends of the desk top. Three levels of holes on three of the brackets provide alternative mounting holes for the bolts depending on whether one wants a level top or a sloped top. The rear corner bolt passes through an insert which fitsin an aperture in the end panel. The insert includes an eccentrically located hole through which the bolt passes. By orienting the insert with the hole in a first position when the desk top is level, and

reorienting the insert with the hole in a second position when the desk top is slanted, one insures that the rear corner of the desk stays properly aligned with the rear corner of the end panels.

18 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEU MY 1 3 I975 SHEET 10F 5 a; Af

MW W M7 PATENIED MAY 1 31975 SHEET 2 OF 5 EATENTED W I 3 i 5 SHEET 3 BF 5 TILTABLE DESK TOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to desks, tables or the like of both the level and sloped top variety. Tradition ally, manufacturers sell desks which have level or generally horizontal tops. A limited number of desks are available in which the top is oriented on a slope.

Drafting tables are available in which the top can be oriented either horizontally or tilted to a number of different positions. However, such top tilting mechanisms have not been incorporated into office desks, probably because they are too complicated and expensive. As a result, there apparently has never been a desk offered to the consumer having a top which the user could orient either horizontally or at a sloped angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a desk, table or the like having a top which can be oriented either horizontally or on a slope. The top is supported between end support means and a releasable securing means on the top and the end support means cooperate to secure the top to the end support means. The releasable securing means have at least two cooperating positions, a first in which the top is oriented generally horizontally and a second in which the top is oriented on a slope.

One very important feature of this invention is the manner in which the user can insure proper alignment of the rear corner of the desk top with the top rear corner of the end support panel. This is accomplished by providing a means for varying the pivot point of the desk top. A fastener joins the top to the end support at the end thereof, at a point which is near to but spaced from the rear edge of the top. An aperture in the end support panel removably receives an insert. The insert includes an eccentrically located hole therethrough and the fastener passes through this hole. The insert and the aperture are so shaped that the insert can be positioned in one of at least a first and second position, thereby locating the hole in one of a first and second position. The hole is located in the insert such that the orientation of the upper rear corner of the end of the desk top remains the same with respect to the corner of the end support regardless of whether the top is in its horizontal or sloped position.

These and other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the written specification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an end panel of the desk of FIG. 1 with its cover removed. FIG. 2a is a fragmentary view of the upper right-hand corner of the end panel exploded away and enlarged.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insert which is mounted in the corner of the end panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the desk top;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket for the desk top; 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, prespective view of the cor ner of the desk showing the mounting insert in a first position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the corner of the desk showning the mounting insert in a second position;

FIG. 8 is a frammentary, cross-sectional view taken along plane VIIIVIII of FIG. 1 with the cover of the end panel being removed and with the pedestal of the desk being removed;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the inside of the cover panel for the end panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a broken, cross-sectional view taken through the end panel assembly with the cover for the end panel being in place;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the means allowing access to the release mechanism for the end panel cover;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the release and locking mechanism for the end panel cover;

FIGS. 13a-13d are a series of schematic illustrations showing various positions of the top with respect to the end panels; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, exploded view showing the assembly of the top, end panels and mounting insert.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment, desk 1 includes a top 10 supported between end panels 12 (FIG. 1). The cover 20 of end panels 12 are removable to expose two holes 52 and an insert 170 mounted in an aperture 161 (FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7). Insert 170 includes a hole 171 eccentrically located and extending completely through its body. Bolts 152 pass through holes 52 and hole 171 and are threaded into threaded holes 151 in brackets 150, brackets 150, in turn, being secured to the ends of top 10 (FIGS. 4 and 8). There are three vertically spaced holes 151 in each bracket 150. By using different holes 151, one can change the level of top 10 or orient it on a slope. Sloped orientation would be achieved by using the bottom aperture 151 in the right-hand bracket 150, the middle aperture 151 in the middle bracket and the top aperture 151 in the left-hand bracket 150, as viewed in FIG. 4. When sloped, the orientation of insert 170 is changed from that shown in FIG. 6 to that shown in FIG. 7 in order to insure that the rear corner of top 10 will maintain proper alignment with respect to the upper corner of end panel 12.

Top 10 is made of wood, metal or the like. Brackets 150 which are bolted into the ends thereof are formed of metal by bending (FIG. 5). Each bracket 150 includes a pair of mounting flanges 153 joined to opposite walls of an outwardly projecting channel 154. Three vertically spaced threaded holes 151 are bored into the basewall of outwardly projecting channel 154. The holes 151 in brackets 150 are spaced such that when top 10 is mounted on a slope, its slope is approximately 4. It has been found that a 4 slope is ideal, offering a comfortable writing surface as well as one on which six sided pencils and other similar objects will not roll off of readily. Flanges 153 include holes 155 therein through which bolts 156 are passed to thereby secure the bracket 150 to the end of top 10.

The specific construction of end panel 12 is more fully set out in copending application Ser. No. 366,218 entitled END PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference, by Ronald R. Hodges, Gale F. Wilcox, Robert G. Mohr, and Douglas Scheerhorn, filed on even date herewith and assigned to the assignee of this invention. The specific construction of end panel 12 does not form a part of this invention.

However, it is important that end panel 12 has two holes 52 passing therethrough near the top, one being located near the left side as viewed in FIG. 2 and the other being located in the middle. Near the right side, a generally Z-shaped aperture 161 passes through end panel 12. Aperture 161 is generally square in configuration, except for a notch 162 at its upper right-hand corner and at its lower left-hand corner which give it its somewhat Z-shaped configuration. Insert 170 is mounted in aperture 161, and the notches 162 serve a positive locating function as will be hereinafter described more fully.

The purpose of employing insert 170 is aperture 161, rather than simply employing another hole 52, is to insure proper alignment of the corner of top with the corner of end panels 12. Proper alignment could be achieved by locating a fastening bolt 152 at the extreme upper right hand comer of end panel 12 (as viewed in FIG. 2) and passing it into a threaded aperture in top 10 located such that the position of the corner of top 10 would remain constant as top 10 was pivoted. Such an arrangement might be acceptable under some circumstances. In the present invention, however, it has been found desirable to not only be able to tilt top 10, but also to be able to mount it at different levels. This requires the use of a bracket 150 which has three threaded holes at different levels, two of the holes being located completely below the level of top 10. It also requires that the top hole be positioned away from the rear edge of top 10 so that when top 10 is tilted, the bottom of bracket 150 will not bump into the back panel of the desk. If it were not for insert 170, tilting of top 10 about any of the pivot points represented by any of the holes 151 would cause the rear edge and corners of top 10 to change position relative to end panels 12. This would be particularly undesirable when the rear of top 10 is located at the top of the end panels 12, since the change of position would cause the rear corner of top 10 to project above the level of end panels 12.

Insert 170 is a small casting of powdered metal or the like, (FIG. 3). It includes an eccentrically located hole 171 which extends completely therethrough. I-Iole 171 specifically takes the place of a hole 52 in end panel 12. Insert 170 comprises a central plate 172 and a bootshaped projection 173 projecting from each side thereof. Boot173 is so-called because it has a toe 174 jutting out from one side thereof. Hole 171 passes completely through each boot 173 and central plate 172.

Aperture 161 in end panel 12 is shaped exactly like boot 173, except that it includes a notch 162 projecting from each side thereof, at opposite corners thereof (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7). Each notch 162 corresponds in configuration to toe 174. Insert 170 can be positioned in aperture 161 with toe 174 either in the upper righthand notch 162 (FIG. 6) or in the lower left-hand notch 162 (FIG. 7). In the former case, hole 171 will be located in the upper left-hand comer of aperture 161 and in the latter case, it will be located in the lower right-hand corner. In effect, insert 170 is used to shift the pivot point of top 10 when it is to be oriented at a tilted angle. When top 10 is to be level, insert 170 is positioned as shown in FIG. 6. When top 10 is to be tilted, insert 170 is oriented in the manner shown in FIG. 7.

Insert 170 can readily be removed and reoriented. Its central plate 172 is larger than aperture 161 so that it will not simply fall therethrough.

Holes 52 and insert 170 are normally completely hidden from view by a cover 20 which is releasably secured to end panel 12 (FIG. 10). End apnel panel includes an outwardly projecting central portion 34 having a plurality of slots 60 formed in the upper edge thereof (FIGS. 2 and 10). Similarly, a plurality of slots 64 are provided along the lower portion thereof. These slots cooperate with appropriate fastening means on cover 20 to facilitate releasable securance of cover 20 to end panel 12.

Cover 20 for end panel 12 is more fully described in copending patent application Ser. No. 366,218 entitled END PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM, incorporated herein above by reference. However, the manner in which cover 20 is secured to end panel 12 to thereby cover the means whereby top 10 is secured to end panel 12 will be described herein.

Cover 20 is formed of sheet metal having height and width dimensions corresponding to the opening in end panels 12 (FIGS. 9 and 10). A retainer rail 76 welded to the interior of the cover at the lower portion thereof includes a plurality of retainer tabs 78 extending outwardly from the inside of the cover near the lower edge portion 70. Retainer tabs 78 are spaced along the length of the retainer rails and are provided for engagement with slots 64 (FIG. 10) in end panels 12.

Means for releasably securing the cover to the end panels indicated generally by the numeral 80 is located near the upper edge of the cover (FIG. 9). The releasable securing means includes a plurality of lock tabs 82 adapted for locking engagement with tab receiving slots 60 formed in the central portion of the end panel. As shown in FIG. 12, tabs 82 are formed with a back wall 84 which is secured as by welding to a slidably mounted lock slide member 86. The back wall extends upwardly and outwardly forming an upwardly directed front flange 88 in which a pair of bias spring retainer openings 90 are provided. Each lock tab 82 extends downwardly from the back wall 84 and outwardly perpendicular to the back wall to form the mechanism for engagement with slots 60 in the end panels. Engaging mechanism of lock tab 82 is generally barbed or triangular in shape having a leading edge portion 92, outwardly tapered sidewalls 94, terminating in shoulders 96 and 98 adjacent its intersection with back wall 84.

A pair of lock release acutators 100 are also secured to lock slide 86 between lock tabs 82 and each include an outwardly formed upwardly extending upper portion 102 which when assembled in the cover, one or the other of the tab members will be accessible through access opening 42 in the upper portion of the end panels. As shown in FIG. 9, lock slide 86 including lock tabs 82 and lock release actuators 100 are mounted for sliding movement in a lock slide retainer 101. The slide retainer is a generally fiat elongated strip having a channel formed in its central portion along its length which receives lock slide 86. Retainer 101 is secured to the inner facing surface of cover 20 as by welding. Openings 104 are provided along the length of retainer 102 through which lock tabs 82 extend when assembled. Similar openings 106 are also provided for lock release actuators 100. Notches 108 are provided in the raised center section of the slide retainer at each end thereof and a bias spring 110 is connected at one end in notch 108 and its opposite end is connected through the opening 90 in flange 88 on lock tabs 82.

It will be noted that openings 104 in slide retainer 102 are wider than the width of the back wall 84 of lock tabs 82. Openings 106 are similarly slightly wider than the width of lock release 100. This allows limited movement of the lock slide 86 and lock tabs 82 across the width of the cover. Bias spring 110 constantly urges the lock mechanism 80 into its locked position by shifting lock slide 86 to the right as shown in FIG. 9.

One achieves access to lock actuator 100 through an access opening 42 in the upper edge of end panel 12 (FIG. 11). Access opening 42 is normally closed by means of a plug or cap 46. Plug 46 is fixed in position in opening 42 by means of a hole 48 in its lower surface which is releasably engageable with an upstanding pin 50. Pin 50 is secured by a tab 51 to the side of end panel 12.

In operation, the initial position of top is adjusted with the covers 20 removed from end panels 12 to allow acess to the inside of the end panels. If the top is to be level and flush with the top edges of end panels 12, bolts 152 are threaded into the lowermost apertures 151a (FIG. 13a) in brackets 150. Top 10 can be positioned at a middle position by choosing the middle holes lb (FIG. 13b) or at a lower position by choosing the upper holes 1510 (FIG. 13c) in brackets 150. Regardless of the height of top 10, if it is to be oriented generally horizontally, insert 170 is oriented with hole 171 located in the upper left-hand corner of aperture 161 (FIG. 6).

If top 10 is to be oriented on a slope, (FIG. 13d) bolts 152 are threaded into the lowermost hole 151a in the right-hand bracket 150 (FIG. 13b), the middle hole 15lb in the middle bracket 150 and the uppermost hole 151C in the left-hand bracket 150. In this instance, insert 170 is oriented with hole 171 in the lower righthand corner of aperture 161 as shown in FIG. 7. In effect, the pivot point for top 10 is changed when it is to be oriented on a slope. The repositioning of insert 170 insures that the rear edge of top 10; and rear comer will not project beyond or above the rear corner of end panel 12.

In orienting or reorienting insert 170, cover is removed and insert 170 is inserted into aperture 161 from the inside of end panel 12. Boot 173 fits into aperture 161 with its toe 174 in either the upper right-hand notch 162 or lower left-hand notch 162 of aperture 161. Since central plate 172 is larger than aperture 161, insert 170 is prevented from being pushed all the way through aperture 161.

Once top 10 is secured to end panel 12, cover 20 is secured to end panel 12 to cover up the securing means. Tabs 78 are inserted into slots 64 and tabs 82 are inserted into slots 60, bias means 110 allowing slide 86 to slide to one side thereby allowing the barbed tabs 82 to hook into position within slots 60.

In the field, the user can change the orientation of his desk if he so desires. He simply removes plug 46 from access aperture 42, reaches into access aperture 42 and actuates slide lock actuator 100 to thereby slide tabs 82 to one side. This allows one to pull them out of slots 60, thereby freeing the upper portion of cover 20. The lower portion of cover 20 is then freed by simply pulling upwardly so as to pull tabs 78 out of lower slots 64. With end panel 12 thus exposed, one can readily loosen bolts 152 and reorient top 10 as he desires.

Thus, the present invention provides a convenient mechanism for mounting a desk top in either a horizontal or sloped position. Further, it can be mounted at different heights. Proper orientation of the rear edge 01 the top with respect to the corners of the supporting end panels is insured by the unique insert which is removably positioned in end panel 12.

Of course, it is understood that the above is merely a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes and alterations can be made thereof without departing from its spirit and broader aspects.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; an end support panel at each end of said top for supporting said top; fasteners for securing said top to said end support panels; cooperating means on said top for releasably cooperating with said fasteners to secure said top to said end support panel; said panels having apertures through which said fasteners pass whereby said top is located on one side of said end support panel and said fasteners are located on the other side and pass through said apertures to engage said cooperating means; a cover generally coextensive with said end support panel and being releasably secured to said end support panel, said cover covering said fasteners; said cover including means for releasing it from said end support panel whereby said cover can be removed to provide access to said fasteners; said cooperating means having at least two alternative cooperating positions for cooperating with said fasteners, a first in which said top is oriented generally horizontally and a second in which said top is oriented on a slope, said end panels having sufficient width and height that the ends of said top are concealed from view by said end support panel in either of said cooperating positions.

2. The desk, table or the like of claim 1 in which said apertures in said end support panels comprise at least two holes through said end support panels, said cooperating means comprising at least two brackets on said top; each of said brackets including at least two vertically spaced holes, said fasteners passing through said holes in said end support panels and into one of said holes in said bracket; said first cooperating position comprising each of said fasteners being secured in the upper holes in said bracket, said second cooperating position comprising one of said fasteners being secured in an upper hole and the other being secured in the lower hole.

3. The desk, table or the like of claim 2 in which said top includes three brackets and said end support panel includes three corresponding holes therethrough; each of said brackets including three vertically spaced holes therein whereby said top can be oriented generally horizontally at one of three different levels or can be oriented on a slope with one fastener being secured in the lowermost hole of a bracket on one side, another fastener being secured in the middle hole of the middle bracket, and the other fastener being secured in the uppermost hole in the bracket on the other side.

4. The desk, table or the like of claim 3 in which said holes are arranged such that said top is sloped at approximately 4 to the horizontal when mounted in its sloped position.

5. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; end support means at each end of said top for supporting said top; releasable securing means on said top and on said end support means, said releasable securing means cooperating to secure said top to said end support means; said releasable securing means having at least two cooperating positions, a first in which said top is oriented generally horizontally and a second in which said top is oriented on a slope; a fastener joining said top at the end thereof; an aperture in said end support means; an insert removably mounted in said aperture, said insert including an eccentrically located hole therethrough; said fastener passing through said hole; said insert and said aperture being shaped so that said insert can be positioned in one of at least a first and second position, thereby locating said hole in one of a first and second position, said first and second positions corresponding to said first and second cooperating positions of said securing means; said hole being located such that the orientation of the rear corner of said top maintains generally the same position with respect to the end support means when said top is in either its generally horizontal or sloped position.

6. The desk, or the like of claim in which said insert comprises a plate and a projection projecting from said plate, said plate being larger than said aperture in said end support means, said projection having approximately the same shape as said aperture whereby said projection can be fitted into said aperture and said plate prevents said insert from being pushed completely through said aperture.

7. The desk, table or the like of claim 6 in which said projection has a regular shape with a toe extending from one side thereof; said aperture having the same regular shape with two notches in opposite corners thereof, each of said notches corresponding in configuration to said toe whereby said projection can be oriented with said toe in either one or the other of said two notches.

8. The desk, table or the like of claim 7 in which said projection is square, except for said toe and said aperture is square except for said notches.

9. The desk, table or the like of claim 8 in which one of said projections projects from either side of said plate whereby said insert can be used at either end of said desk, table or the like.

10. The desk, table or the like of claim 5 in which a cover is releasably secured to said end support means, said cover covering said releasable securing means; said cover including means for releasing it from said end support means whereby said cover can be removed to provide access to said securing means.

11. The desk, table or the like of claim 10 in which said releasable securing means comprises at least two holes through said end support means, at least two brackets on said top and fasteners; each of said brackets including at least two vertically spaced holes, said fasteners passing through said holes in said end support means and into one of said holes in said bracket; said first cooperating position comprising each of said fasteners being secured in the upper holes in said bracket, said second cooperating position comprising one of said fasteners being secured in an upper hole and the other being secured in the lower hole.

12. The desk, table or the like of claim 11 in which said top includes three brackets and said end support means includes three corresponding holes therethrough; each of said brackets including three vertically spaced holes therein whereby said top can be oriented generally horizontally at one of three different levels or can be oriented on a slope with one fastener being secured in the lowermost hole of a bracket on one side, another fastener being secured in the middle hole of the middle bracket, and the other fastener being secured in the uppermost hole in the bracket on the other side.

13. The desk, table or the like of claim 12 in which said holes are arranged such that said top is sloped at approximately 4 to the horizontal when mounted in its sloped position.

14. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; an end panel at each end of said top covering the ends of said top; means for orienting said top in either a generally horizontal plane or on the slope with respect to the horizontal and with respect to said end panels; the upper rear comer of said top being generally aligned with the upper rear corner of said end panel when said top is oriented horizontally; said means for orienting said top including an aperture in each said end panel, an insert removably mounted in said aperture and a fastener; said insert including an eccentrically located hole therethrough; said fastener passing through said hole and being joined to said top; said insert and said aperture being shaped so that said insert can be positioned in one of at least a first and second position, thereby locating said hole in one of a first and second position; said hole being located in said insert such that when said insert is oriented with said hole in said first position, said top can be mounted in a generally horizontal position with its rear comer generally flush with the corner of said end panel and when said hole is in its second position, said top can be oriented on a slope and said comer of said top will still be generally flush with said comer of said end panel.

15. The desk, table or the like of claim 14 in which said insert comprises a plate and a projection projecting from said plate, said plate being larger than said aperture in said end support means, said projection having approximately the same shape as said aperture whereby said projection can be fitted into said aperture and said plate prevents said insert from being pushed completely through said aperture.

16. The desk, table or the like of claim 15 in which said projection has a regular shape with a toe extending from one side thereof; said aperture having the same regular shape with two notches in opposite corners thereof, each of said notches corresponding in configuration to said toe whereby said projection can be oriented with said toe in either one or the other of said two notches.

17. The desk, table or the like of claim 16 in which said projection is square, except for said toe and said aperture is square except for said notches.

18. The desk, table or the like of claim 17 in which one of said projections projects from either side of said plate whereby said insert can be used at either end of said desk, table or the like. 

1. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; an end support panel at each end of said top for supporting said top; fasteners for securing said top to said end support panels; cooperating means on said top for releasably cooperating with said fasteners to secure said top to said end support panel; said panels having apertures through which said fasteners pass whereby said top is located on one side of said end support panel and said fasteners are located on the other side and pass through said apertures to engage said cooperating means; a cover generally coextensive with said end support panel and beIng releasably secured to said end support panel, said cover covering said fasteners; said cover including means for releasing it from said end support panel whereby said cover can be removed to provide access to said fasteners; said cooperating means having at least two alternative cooperating positions for cooperating with said fasteners, a first in which said top is oriented generally horizontally and a second in which said top is oriented on a slope, said end panels having sufficient width and height that the ends of said top are concealed from view by said end support panel in either of said cooperating positions.
 2. The desk, table or the like of claim 1 in which said apertures in said end support panels comprise at least two holes through said end support panels, said cooperating means comprising at least two brackets on said top; each of said brackets including at least two vertically spaced holes, said fasteners passing through said holes in said end support panels and into one of said holes in said bracket; said first cooperating position comprising each of said fasteners being secured in the upper holes in said bracket, said second cooperating position comprising one of said fasteners being secured in an upper hole and the other being secured in the lower hole.
 3. The desk, table or the like of claim 2 in which said top includes three brackets and said end support panel includes three corresponding holes therethrough; each of said brackets including three vertically spaced holes therein whereby said top can be oriented generally horizontally at one of three different levels or can be oriented on a slope with one fastener being secured in the lowermost hole of a bracket on one side, another fastener being secured in the middle hole of the middle bracket, and the other fastener being secured in the uppermost hole in the bracket on the other side.
 4. The desk, table or the like of claim 3 in which said holes are arranged such that said top is sloped at approximately 4* to the horizontal when mounted in its sloped position.
 5. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; end support means at each end of said top for supporting said top; releasable securing means on said top and on said end support means, said releasable securing means cooperating to secure said top to said end support means; said releasable securing means having at least two cooperating positions, a first in which said top is oriented generally horizontally and a second in which said top is oriented on a slope; a fastener joining said top at the end thereof; an aperture in said end support means; an insert removably mounted in said aperture, said insert including an eccentrically located hole therethrough; said fastener passing through said hole; said insert and said aperture being shaped so that said insert can be positioned in one of at least a first and second position, thereby locating said hole in one of a first and second position, said first and second positions corresponding to said first and second cooperating positions of said securing means; said hole being located such that the orientation of the rear corner of said top maintains generally the same position with respect to the end support means when said top is in either its generally horizontal or sloped position.
 6. The desk, or the like of claim 5 in which said insert comprises a plate and a projection projecting from said plate, said plate being larger than said aperture in said end support means, said projection having approximately the same shape as said aperture whereby said projection can be fitted into said aperture and said plate prevents said insert from being pushed completely through said aperture.
 7. The desk, table or the like of claim 6 in which said projection has a regular shape with a toe extending from one side thereof; said aperture having the same regular shape with two notches in opposite corners thereof, each of said notches corresponding in configuration to said toe whereby said projectIon can be oriented with said toe in either one or the other of said two notches.
 8. The desk, table or the like of claim 7 in which said projection is square, except for said toe and said aperture is square except for said notches.
 9. The desk, table or the like of claim 8 in which one of said projections projects from either side of said plate whereby said insert can be used at either end of said desk, table or the like.
 10. The desk, table or the like of claim 5 in which a cover is releasably secured to said end support means, said cover covering said releasable securing means; said cover including means for releasing it from said end support means whereby said cover can be removed to provide access to said securing means.
 11. The desk, table or the like of claim 10 in which said releasable securing means comprises at least two holes through said end support means, at least two brackets on said top and fasteners; each of said brackets including at least two vertically spaced holes, said fasteners passing through said holes in said end support means and into one of said holes in said bracket; said first cooperating position comprising each of said fasteners being secured in the upper holes in said bracket, said second cooperating position comprising one of said fasteners being secured in an upper hole and the other being secured in the lower hole.
 12. The desk, table or the like of claim 11 in which said top includes three brackets and said end support means includes three corresponding holes therethrough; each of said brackets including three vertically spaced holes therein whereby said top can be oriented generally horizontally at one of three different levels or can be oriented on a slope with one fastener being secured in the lowermost hole of a bracket on one side, another fastener being secured in the middle hole of the middle bracket, and the other fastener being secured in the uppermost hole in the bracket on the other side.
 13. The desk, table or the like of claim 12 in which said holes are arranged such that said top is sloped at approximately 4* to the horizontal when mounted in its sloped position.
 14. A desk, table or the like comprising: a top; an end panel at each end of said top covering the ends of said top; means for orienting said top in either a generally horizontal plane or on the slope with respect to the horizontal and with respect to said end panels; the upper rear corner of said top being generally aligned with the upper rear corner of said end panel when said top is oriented horizontally; said means for orienting said top including an aperture in each said end panel, an insert removably mounted in said aperture and a fastener; said insert including an eccentrically located hole therethrough; said fastener passing through said hole and being joined to said top; said insert and said aperture being shaped so that said insert can be positioned in one of at least a first and second position, thereby locating said hole in one of a first and second position; said hole being located in said insert such that when said insert is oriented with said hole in said first position, said top can be mounted in a generally horizontal position with its rear corner generally flush with the corner of said end panel and when said hole is in its second position, said top can be oriented on a slope and said corner of said top will still be generally flush with said corner of said end panel.
 15. The desk, table or the like of claim 14 in which said insert comprises a plate and a projection projecting from said plate, said plate being larger than said aperture in said end support means, said projection having approximately the same shape as said aperture whereby said projection can be fitted into said aperture and said plate prevents said insert from being pushed completely through said aperture.
 16. The desk, table or the like of claim 15 in which said projection has a regular shape with a toe extending from one side thereof; said aperTure having the same regular shape with two notches in opposite corners thereof, each of said notches corresponding in configuration to said toe whereby said projection can be oriented with said toe in either one or the other of said two notches.
 17. The desk, table or the like of claim 16 in which said projection is square, except for said toe and said aperture is square except for said notches.
 18. The desk, table or the like of claim 17 in which one of said projections projects from either side of said plate whereby said insert can be used at either end of said desk, table or the like. 